The very best of 2017 sports…

Some year huh? The Astros win the World Series worth a $30 million bonus, the Oilers almost make the Stanley Cup final, the Toronto Argos take the Grey Cup worth $16K for each roster player, the Toronto FC rule Major League Soccer to share $275K and Vegas rolls in an NHL franchise for a measly $500K.

It wouldn’t be my 96th annual Christmas column without mentioning the late John Baldwin, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2006.

He was the sole surviving member of the Keller Club in Minnesota. He was quoted by the St. Paul Pioneer Press as saying he wasn’t playing much golf because he had a sore back.

“When you get to 100, you get some problems,” he said. His secret to a long life? “Moderation in everything. I quit smoking when I was 82.”

Wish I had met Johnny especially now that I’m playing the back nine. It is now time to present the best-of-the-year list.

Before doing so, I have to thank my wonderful family and friends for still reading my stuff. Including Vernon Esso hockey great John (Wire) Price, who also curls these days, my readership total has reached a staggering 49. We are all blessed with decent health and happiness in the Mitchell family.

My wonderful folks are going strong at 80-something, my daughter Kristi is a children’s psychologist in Edmonton and married to a pretty nice lawyer, my oldest son, Max, is working hard and my youngest son, Nick, had to shut down his hockey career after a fourth concussion but is still smiling.